LaHood: Obama wants HSR to be his “signature achievement”

In a short update the Washington Post mentions that Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood has sent the White House a memo outlining ways to get high-speed rail rolling in the United States. Presumably that involves smart allocation of that $8 billion in stimulus money. Here’s an interesting quote about the President’s view on high-speed rail that’s certainly in line with the shift in attitude we’ve seen since just a few months ago.

The memo identified several potential high-speed rail corridors in the country and addressed potential means of paying for a system. LaHood said President Obama wants to make high-speed rail a signature achievement of his presidency.

There’s a thought. The Obama High-Speed Rail System. I’d like go on about this topic, but London calls urgently with both business and pleasure. Thoughts on what one man can do in four (or eight) years?

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While I am more encouraged, there is still a major missing piece to all of this: A Dedicated LONG TERM funding source – think highway trust fund. Even that fund falls short but at least there is a steady base of funds which is not dependent on the whims of congress and a Dem. Pres.

Yes, very encouraging but the reality is it will probably be something along the lines of Eisenhower’s jump starting of the interstate highway system, not the actual build out of high speed rail during President Obama’s term in office.

As wasthe Interstate system the federal goverment needs to help with the first phases..as the systems grown they will be able to expand and at some point there can be some fee added just like the airlines…United and American Airlines did not build the first airports nor do they now..the pay rent for the gates..ect .The gas tax is a different situation its private cars using public roads and it does not even cover the real cost